help with "risk for suicide" care plan

[ManderRN]

Hello all-

I have just completed my first week of clinicals in mental health nursing, and could use some advice. My pt. has schizo affective disorder of the bipolar type, and is experiencing auditory hallucinations advising him to commit suicide. During his depressive phase, he also experiences suicidal thoughts, although he was in his manic phase during our meetings. I am obviously doing risk for suicide for him, but I am having a little trouble finding the correct "related to" in this situation. To say "risk for suicide related to schizoaffective disorder of the bipolar type" doesn't seem to explain it enough, or give it enough detail. But to say "risk for suicide related to suicidal auditory hallucinations" seems to be putting the "as evidenced by" (which i don't need in a risk-for diagnosis) into the "related to" field. Am I over thinking this? Thanks for your suggestions.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Risk for suicide related to schizoaffective disorder of the bipolar type is an acceptable way to word the diagnosis. You can also add "and experiencing auditory hallucinations advising him to commit suicide" as well so that the diagnosis reads: Risk for suicide related to schizoaffective disorder of the bipolar type and hearing auditory hallucinations advising him to commit suicide. Remember that the "related to" part of the statement is why there is the risk.

[ManderRN]

Thanks!